“After He drove the man out He placed in the east side of the Garden of Eden and he stationed a cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life”-http://bible.cc/genesis/3-24.htm Genesis 3:24. Now this is the "world" we are about to unlock-"the way to the tree of life...!"
Below are subtopics I have drawn from words in the biblical passage above. I itemized words such as: Cherubim; Back and Forth Flaming Sword. In this way, I am able to relate the substance of the words as they have subtle and yet profound dimensions of meaning, which we would discuss. If just read as they are, one might overlook the essence of its message.
Cherub-The dictionary description of cherubim is, winged-like creatures with resemblance of a child. A child is a classic example of purity-- symbol of our love, both in spirit and practice. And speaking of which, Christ reiterated that the greatest of all is loving God and our neighbor http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+12%3A28-31&version=NIV (Mark 12:28-31; http://quran.com/5/46 (Surah V.46). The kind of love we ordinarily give casually and constantly at a level of blessedness and divinity. However, there is a kind of love some humans practice, that Christ try to rectify-the viciousness of life which the Law of Moses has partly practiced-an eye for an eye, purging the land via annihilation, and the like. When in fact, He asked us to turn the other cheek and return a bread for a stone thrown http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+6%3A27-36&version=NIV (Mathew 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-36). On the other side of the balance, however, He also said, He has not come to bring peace but sword http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mathew%2010:34-39&version=NIV (Mathew 10:34-39) . Remember, the previous chapter about the churches? Jesus Christ figuratively expresses, as He usually does with parables.
In explanation to this figurative parallelism, it is of grace that the Christ was, at that time, trying to teach how to consider love of God above all. Through God's love is what He would he would use to destroy, as a sword would cut. The cherub is being described at such parallelism, whom, that guard the tree of life. The gore of past religious battles represent this sword and likewise the ordeals Christ, Abraham and the rest of the prominent divine characters and all their followers have experienced. The back and forth sword is a figure of speech pertaining to infinity of time when and where the kingdom of God shall always be protected in its purity.
Who is the other cherubim, since the bible states cherub (plural in form). It is no other than the churches and all the forms of legitimate government which aspired and actually enacted laws protecting the life of all people-for a life clean and pure, holy and acceptable. Also, best illustrated by the major characters in the Holy Scriptures like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and all rulers and prophets who shaped the spiritual realm and whose advocacy remain espoused through the centuries. These are likewise the other cherub described in the Garden of Eden-- it is those who play a pivotal part in directing human’s souls for a better tomorrow and those who function in accord with lawful and holy precepts.
Back and Forth Sword-A “back and forth” figurative characteristic, with their “swords” which try to cut evil, and protect life http://bible.cc/romans/13-4.htm (Romans 13:4). They are the churches and governments which are the essential groups where we encounter values, pertaining to good life (supposedly, though)-upholding what is livable, peaceable, and beneficial. Although, people may have mixed emotions over various religious and governmental peculiarities, however, as a general rule, these governing bodies have direct responsibilities vested upon the well being of the governed. It is the statement we say that the government and the church are the people themselves. Vested responsibilities and the policies they set could be liken to that sword, guarding our peoples’ lives to a more safe, secure and productive atmosphere each and every time.
The ultimate “sword” however, is Christ Himself and the Holy Spirit of God in Him. Christ mentioned that until “you surpass the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, we can not see the kingdom of God http://bible.cc/matthew/5-20.htm (Mathew 5:20). A statement of quality with evolutionary characteristics. A straightforward statement with encouragement for an active vigilance towards divine practical execution of impartiality among convictions of men for utmost harmony and holiness in society. Yes, it is lawful and upright to follow and obey authorities. As a matter of fact, He even said it Himself. And along the line of His life, He had to express discontent about the buying and selling that were taking place at the synagogue http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+2%3A13-16&version=KJV (John 2:13-16).
I’ll share with you one example I have found in the books of laws particularly in Leviticus and in the book of Koran. Like any other law, they are crafted at a time, corresponding a particular time-frame which calls for promulgation of pressing situations that require a law to be enacted. In other words, certain laws have had to be crafted to be able to address the need for it. Laws we abide by are results of crafted guidelines that all men could benefit from. People of old are no different from human beings of today-we all look forward to a brighter and better day, every time. The Holy Scriptures may have more appeal in terms of authority, which it really has-as they are held sacred. But like any other law, I am certain that we can implement, amend, veto, or revise. This is on the premise that older laws that were crafted at the time it was made and implemented, do not adhere to today's global integration in the one true spirit of love for one another.
As an example, laws of thousands of years ago--in terms of seafaring technological engineering, have not yet subdued the mighty oceans. The law on unclean food pertaining to sea creatures. To me, the reason they have made a law to prohibit eating water creatures without scales, was because of the experiences of fishermen with man-eating sea creatures--the sharks. The law emanated from the filth they saw in this kind of fish, thus, may have come the law on “clean and unclean food.” The terror and filth which predicated this particular law is evident in the story of Jonah, where the element of redemption from a death when thrown overboard a ship was very much highlighted. The equation I am trying to convey is the angle, which men of long ago dread much of the seas-where one of the most ancient civilization, the Chinese, even thought, that dragons inhabit the end of the ocean, which we term now as the horizon.
Ancient day laws, particularly on this one, is already obsolete, as we see people overtake the strength of every creature known to men with technological gadgetry and engineering of today's advanced age, and still progressing, as we speak. This is a good scenario wherein we have to apply what Christ said, regarding surpassing the teachers of the law, should we find some of their teachings irrelevant or divisive in ways that could lead people to probe and find answers for its applicability-whether certain laws are still relevant or not. He would not be the Messiah (most of us call Him to be) for having nothing under His belt, so to speak. In His heart, there is something that need changing around here, there, and everywhere. Believe me! Sounds like a song, huh? Here, there...and everywhere.
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